M. Shahbandeh
Research expert covering agriculture & FMCG
Cheese market in Canada- statistics & facts
Canada is ranked as one of the major cheese producing countries in the world and Canadian cheese is internationally renowned for its variety and high quality. In 2024, it was estimated that the volume of cheese produced in Canada amounted to around 527,000 metric tons. The majority of cheese produced in Canada were Cheddar and Mozzarella varieties. Canada also produces many specialty cheeses, the most common varieties of which are cream cheese, cottage cheese, and parmesan.
Canadian trading partners
In 2023, Canada exported eight million kilograms of cheese, amounting to about 103 million Canadian dollars in export value. Canada has a trade deficit when it comes to cheese; importing 55 million kilograms of cheese in that same year. Most of these imports come from the U.S., Italy, and France, which are all world renowned for their high-quality artisanal cheese.Cheese consumption
Canadian cheese prices has increased significantly in the last two years. As of 2024, the averageprice per unit of natural cheese was just over 7.70 Canadian dollars. Cheese consumption per capita, in comparison, has decreased in recent years. The average Canadian was estimated to consume around 12.6 kilograms of cheese in 2024, decreasing from 13.1 kilograms in 2021. Over the last year, cottage cheese emerged as the fastest-growing cheese category in Canada, with sales surging by just over 21 percent. This growth reflects the rising demand among Canadian consumers for high-protein, low-fat foods.
